We hit the jackpot on our first trip to Paris by staying at the small but well-equipped Saumur on Rue Cler. The apartment is comfortable for two, is beautifully appointed and has everything a visitor needs for a 10-day stay. We breakfasted in our room everyday and prepared a lunch for our sightseeing. This was easy with the compact kitchen with ¾ sized refrigerator and freezer, microwave, every kitchen tool imaginable and room for food preparation. The Nespresso machine saw heavy use as well. The lovely dinette table with city views outside the windows and reliable Internet made breakfast, planning our daily itinerary and catching up with the world every day a pleasure. The balcony was another wonderful feature although the weather did not allow us to enjoy it for most of our stay. Dishwasher, washer/dryer, efficient shower/vanity, tight but usable shelf storage and closet were other essential amenities for a stay of a week or more.
The extensive documentation on virtually everything in the apartment as well as the friendly greeter who provided orientation our first day were other touches that made our stay smooth and trouble-free. The starter supplies of orange juice, wine, Nespresso cups and milk as well as soaps, cleaners and paper goods were well appreciated.
But as they say in real estate here in the States (and probably everywhere else), “Location, location, location”. It is here Saumur shines brightly.
I suppose there are other great locations to stay in Paris but it is hard to believe there are any better. Rue Cler has everything a visitor needs from cafes (we ate at three: Café du Marche, Tribeca and La Terrasse around the corner on Rue Bosquet), fruit and flower stands, bakeries, pharmacies, small supermarkets (we are partial to Carrefour for its hours and selection on La Motte-Picquet) and a day and night time vibe that represents the best of Paris city life. A demitasse of espresso or a glass of wine and a curbside table on Rue Cler is hard to beat for people watching or unwinding at the end of an evening.
For visiting the rest of the city, the Ecole Militaire Metro station is right around the corner with connections on Line 8 to virtually everywhere in the city including Versailles (at Invalides) and Chartres (at Montparnasse Bienvenue). And, at the end of the day, Carrefour is right at the Metro exit (open till 11:30 pm) for the next days supplies, dessert or wine.
We will certainly book Saumur again. It was Paris Perfection!
